The Rivian is a new U.S. all-electric pickup with sports-car acceleration

Michigan-built truck due out in 2020 promises 480 km of battery range, 826 lb-ft of torque

U.S. electric vehicle startup Rivian took the covers of its first vehicle, the R1T pickup, November 26, showing off a truck with a futuristic aesthetic, a front-trunk and sports-car-grade performance numbers ahead of a full reveal at the LA auto show.

The company, based in Plymouth, Michigan, says the R1T can do zero to 96 km/h in 3.0 seconds, thanks to a claimed 826 lb-ft of torque.

It offers 640 kilometres of electric range when ordered with the largest 180-kWh battery pack.

Two more sizes of battery pack are available: a 135-kWh unit delivering 480 kilometres of range; and, as an entry-level option, a 105-kWh battery with 370 kilometres of charge.

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

2019 Rivian R1T Electric Truck

Handout, Rivian

The batteries are located within a skateboard-like structure that makes up the entire frame of the vehicle, which means the bed and “frunk” (where the engine usually sits) offer up unobstructed real estate for more storage than most trucks. (The front trunk, for example, is said to hold up to 330 litres.)

A 350-liter pass-through runs the length of the vehicle under the seats, making it ideal for hauling long pieces of lumber, or skis.

The interior, to be frank, looks like it’s from the future, with cell-like shapes stitched into the seats and ribbed accents along the dashboard flanking the large touch screens. The R1T also looks like it might have enough leg room to fit four adults in its crew-cab configuration.

The Rivian R1T is going to cost US$61,500, comparable with a lot of high-end trucks these days. Deliveries of the 180-kWh version will commence in late 2020, with the smaller battery options to follow.

If you want one, Rivian is accepting $1,000 deposits on its website. We hope the Rivian R1T makes it up to Canada, as we love our pickup trucks up here.